filter change time vs oil change time?

[donlightbody]

I recently bought a 03 XLT 4.0L 132,600mi and i am incredibly happy with it so far. I have no idea what oil has been used but I just picked up 5qts of Mobil 1 Extended Performsnce 5w-20 and a motorcraft filter. I have no intentions of going the advertised 15,000mi on this oil, I figure maybe shoot for 7500. Is this filter going to do ok that long or does it need to be changed about half way through? And for that matter, CAN I even change it without losing half my oil? I went with the extended performance over regular mobil 1 because of it's superior cold start protection, only $2 more for the jug. That timing chain thing worries me. There are no indications by rattling that theres a pending problem, and I intend to keep it that way! Changing tensioners soon too. Thanks.

 

[JoshMcMadMac]

Personally I would do a 4k mile filter change and 8k mile oil change interval. That is assuming mostly "light" driving, such as highway and extended drive times. If the vehicle only goes a few miles between start and stop, lives in the city, tows, or otherwise does more "work" then I would stick to 5k mile changes or less on both.

 

[Exproblems]

I recently bought a 03 XLT 4.0L 132,600mi and i am incredibly happy with it so far. I have no idea what oil has been used but I just picked up 5qts of Mobil 1 Extended Performsnce 5w-20 and a motorcraft filter. I have no intentions of going the advertised 15,000mi on this oil, I figure maybe shoot for 7500. Is this filter going to do ok that long or does it need to be changed about half way through? And for that matter, CAN I even change it without losing half my oil? I went with the extended performance over regular mobil 1 because of it's superior cold start protection, only $2 more for the jug. That timing chain thing worries me.

When I purchased my Ex 2 years ago with 82K miles on it, I had no idea what type of oil the 2 previous owners used on it, but I started using Mobil 1 and the Extended Performance version since then, and I have had no problems what so ever using the Full Synthetic oil. I also use a high quality, long life Bosch Distance Plus filter Part #D3410. Over the winter months I'll go 5-6 months between oil and filter changes, but I'll only drive approx 3K in miles in that time. Don't drive that much anymore. Does the 03 4.0L call for 5w-20 viscosity, because I know the 05 calls for 5w-30? On changing the filter half way thru, I would imagine(not 100% sure) you would only lose and have to replace the old oil that is inside of the filter itself, since the filter sits higher than the bottom of the oil pan where the majority of oil collects or drains back to when the engine is turned off. BTW, someone else in here just mentioned a few days ago, that Full Synthetic oil helps prolong the life of the timing chain guides.
Edit: Below is the link to a post #7 by "2000Streetrod" where he mentions the benefits of synthetic oil and the timing chain components. From what I have read in here, he is quite knowledgeable on the 4.0L V-6 engine.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=378936